Philadelphia Black Woman Shot in Head While Waiting for Bus

Philadelphia Black Woman Shot in Head While Waiting for Bus

Police believe that Kim Jones, 56, was targeted by someone who new her daily route.

Published January 14, 2015

A 56-year-old social worker was shot in the back of the head while waiting for a bus in North Philadelphia on Tuesday, local police report.

Kim Jones was reportedly waiting for the #23 SEPTA bus to take her into Center City to her job at the Turning Points for Children social service program — just as she had done for years, according to police. The fatal shooting marks the 14th homicide of the year in the city.

"We know she was targeted for whatever reason. We do not believe it was a robbery," Philadelphia Police Captain James Clark said, as WPVI reports. "She had her purse, she had her cellphone, she had jewelry on, none of which was taken, none of which was disturbed.”

According to WPVI, Jones’ ex-husband of more than 25 years — she had recently remarried — and her two adult sons chose not to speak with Action News. Her boss did, however, speak with reporters.

Mike Vogel, CEO of Turning Points for Children, described Jones as a “vey, very happy lady” with a “twinkle in her eye."

"It just doesn't make any sense. It's just a waste, a terrible, terrible waste,” Vogel told WPVI. He also noted that Jones’s position at the agency was not the type of job where she would encounter “disgruntled or unhappy people."

Authorities are currently combing through footage from nearby surveillance cameras in search of a Black, heavy-set man in dark clothes carrying a black duffel bag who was seen fleeing the scene, WPVI reports.

"For whatever reason, she was targeted, it's not a random act. We don't know why she was targeted. Obviously, we'll get to the bottom of that and hopefully we'll get the person responsible for this very quickly," Clark said.

Philadelphia is offering a $20,000 reward for any tips leading to an arrest and conviction: 215-686-TIPS.

BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: Action News 6ABC via Twitter)

Written by Patrice Peck

COMMENTS

Subscribe to our Newsletter

By clicking submit, I consent to receiving BET Newsletters and other marketing emails. BET Newsletters are subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms
of Use. Users can unsubscribe at anytime. BET Newsletters are sent by BET Networks, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. www.bet.com